Geeky Catholic Sunday: The Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019
Gospel Reading: Luke 6:39-45
Highlight: "Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother's eye."
Reflection: I think the lesson a lot of people take from this parable is that we shouldn't judge others, because we aren't perfect. But if you read carefully, that's not exactly what Jesus is saying. True, he does say that it is hypocrisy to point out the splinter in your brother's eye while ignoring the beam in your own. But Christ's solution is not to ignore the splinter; it is to remove the beam, and then assist your brother with the splinter. To continue ignoring the beam is not only hypocritical, it is also ineffective. You won't be able to see clearly with the beam in your eye, so you won't be any use to your brother in trying to remove the splinter. If I go out binge drinking every night, I won't be able to help my friend attain sobriety. We are called to help our neighbors turn away from sin. We just have to make sure we're not stubbornly clinging to our own sins at the same time.
Geeky Quote: "Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them." - Ben Kenobi, Star Wars: A New Hope
Prayer: Lord, help me to accept you fully, so that I may bring others to you. Amen.
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Highlight: "Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother's eye."
Reflection: I think the lesson a lot of people take from this parable is that we shouldn't judge others, because we aren't perfect. But if you read carefully, that's not exactly what Jesus is saying. True, he does say that it is hypocrisy to point out the splinter in your brother's eye while ignoring the beam in your own. But Christ's solution is not to ignore the splinter; it is to remove the beam, and then assist your brother with the splinter. To continue ignoring the beam is not only hypocritical, it is also ineffective. You won't be able to see clearly with the beam in your eye, so you won't be any use to your brother in trying to remove the splinter. If I go out binge drinking every night, I won't be able to help my friend attain sobriety. We are called to help our neighbors turn away from sin. We just have to make sure we're not stubbornly clinging to our own sins at the same time.
Geeky Quote: "Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them." - Ben Kenobi, Star Wars: A New Hope
Prayer: Lord, help me to accept you fully, so that I may bring others to you. Amen.
To get these short reflections every week, click the Subscribe button at the top of this page, or you can "Like" or "Follow" the GeekyCatholicDad Facebook page here.
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